Regional assessment of the historical trends of mercury in sediment cores from Wider Caribbean coastal environments.

Spatial and temporal variations of mercury (Hg) concentrations, enrichment, and potential ecological risks were studied in a suite of lead-210 (210Pb) dated sediment cores from 13 Wider Caribbean Region coastal environments. Broad variability of Hg concentrations (19-18761 ng g-1) was observed, encompassing even background levels (38-100 ng g-1). Most Hg concentration profiles exhibited a characteristic upward trend, reaching their peak values in the past two decades. Most of the sediment sections, showing from moderately to very severe Hg enrichment, were found in cores from Havana Bay and Sagua River Estuary (Cuba), Port-au-Prince Bay (Haiti), and Cartagena Bay (Colombia). These were also the most seriously contaminated sites, which can be considered regional Hg 'hotspots'. Both Havana Bay and Port-au-Prince Bay reportedly receive waste from large cities with populations exceeding 2 million inhabitants, and watersheds affected by high erosion rates. The records from the Sagua River Estuary and Cartagena Bay reflected historical Hg contamination associated with chloralkali plants, and these sites are of very high ecological risk. These results constitute a major contribution to the scarce regional data on contaminants in the Wider Caribbean Region and provide reference information to support the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention.

Combined Phacoemulsification and 360-Degree Endocyclophotocoagulation with and without a Kahook Dual Blade in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and 360-degree endocyclophotocoagulation with and without goniotomy using a Kahook Dual Blade in patients with glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 37 patients, 21 of whom underwent combined phacoemulsification with 360-degree endocyclophotocoagulation and goniotomy using a Kahook Dual Blade (tri-modal therapy (T-MT) group). The remaining 16 patients underwent phacoemulsification with endocyclophotocoagulation (bi-modal therapy (B-MT) group). Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and number of glaucoma medications were recorded before the study and postoperatively on the first day, at week 1, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Surgical success was defined as an IOP ≤12 mmHg and ≥6 mmHg or an at least 20% reduction in IOP from baseline with (qualified success) or without medications (complete success). RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes were included. Baseline mean IOP was 16.96±3.66 mmHg and 15.64±4.88 mmHg in the T-MT and B-MT groups (p=0.122), respectively. At the 12-month follow-up, mean IOP values were 11.44±2.15 mmHg and 12.45±1.90 mmHg (p=0.031) in the T-MT and B-MT groups, respectively. Complete success rates were 37% in the T-MT group and 31% in the B-MT group, while qualified success rates were 74% and 50%, respectively. Glaucoma medications decreased from 2.0±1.4 to 0.8±1.0 (p<0.001) in the T-MT group and from 1.5±1.3 to 1.0±1.5 in the B-MT group (p=0.032). Similar improvements in visual acuity were observed in both groups. Complications were mild and resolved without intervention. CONCLUSION: The tri-modal treatment is safe and may be more effective in reducing IOP and glaucoma medication requirements than bi-modal treatment.

Effectiveness and agreement of 3 optical biometers in measuring axial length in the eyes of patients with mature cataracts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and agreement of 3 optical biometers in measuring axial length (AL) and biometric parameters in the eyes of patients with mature cataracts. SETTING: Oftalmosalud Instituto de Ojos, Peru. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative study. METHODS: Eyes with mature cataracts were examined. Three consecutive scans were performed with each device: the IOLMaster 700, the Galilei G6, and the Pentacam AXL. The following parameters were recorded: AL, anterior flat keratometry (K1), steep K (K2), anterior astigmatism, mean K (Km), anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and lens thickness. Agreement between devices was assessed using the coefficient of correlation of concordance (CCC). RESULTS: Forty-five eyes were included. After 3 attempts, the acquisition success rates in measuring mature cataracts were 84.4% (38/45), 42.2% (19/45), and 37.7% (17/45) for the IOLMaster, the Galilei, and the Pentacam, respectively. Significant differences were found between the Pentacam and the IOLMaster in terms of AL, K2, and CCT. Significant differences were found in terms of K1, K2, Km, ACD, and CCT between the Pentacam and the Galilei; and significant differences were found in AL, K1, Km, and ACD between the Galilei and the IOLMaster (P < .05 all). Good correlations were found between devices (>0.90) in terms of keratometries and AL. CONCLUSIONS: The IOLMaster 700 had the highest AL acquisition success rate when compared with the Pentacam AXL and Galilei G6. Good agreement between devices was found in terms of AL and K readings.

Reduced grazing rates in Daphnia pulex caused by contaminants: implications for trophic cascades.

Ecotoxicological endpoints based on behavioral traits (e.g., predator avoidance, feeding, and locomotion) may be more sensitive and give more insights into patterns of sublethal toxicity than survivorship tests. In this study, the density-dependent grazing rate of Daphnia pulex pre-exposed to p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (insecticide metabolite) and glyphosate (herbicide), via water or a vector, Scenedesmus spp., was assayed in laboratory experiments. The phytoplankton biomass was estimated from the chlorophyll content, and the pesticide uptake and turnover pattern in Daphnia and Scenedesmus were determined from parallel experiments with a radiolabeled source. Scenedesmus spp. relative net growth rate was inversely and linearly related to the density of the grazer. Daphnia pulex exhibited significant reductions in grazing rate: 30% for those pre-exposed to p,p'-DDE via water and 40% for D. pulex pre-exposed to glyphosate via Scenedesmus spp. Through the process of trophic cascading, this impaired grazing allowed Scenedesmus spp. to grow at higher rates, 70 and 60%, respectively. The reduced grazing efficiencies were associated with the treatments that gave the highest body burden of p,p'-DDE (70 microg/g dry wt) and the lowest of glyphosate (13 mg/g dry wt). The pattern of results suggests a toxic effect of p,p'-DDE on D. pulex and a growth enhancement of Scenedesmus spp. in response to nitrogen and phosphorus in glyphosate excreted by D. pulex.